Cosmetic Surgery: Is it Worth The Risk?

May 10, 2015
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The pressure on women and even men to look flawless is at an all time high. Everyone has smartphones with recording options. Most even have a one click capability to upload any photo or video to the social media machine. There has never been a time in history, where looks have held such high importance.

The only question is how far are you willing to go to achieve your perfect look? The standard regimen for looking good is eating health and exercise, but sometimes it’s not enough because exercise and eating healthy can’t change the structure of your body. This is where cosmetic surgery comes into play for many people unsatisfied by their physical appearance.

Cosmetic Surgery

There are lots of different kinds of cosmetic surgery and reason to get it done. The main reason for many people is simply vanity. Others may have suffered an accident and need a way to repair some of the damage done, in these cases the procedure is sometimes called reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic surgery is usually considered an operation that is entirely optional. This can range from breast implants, nose reshaping, lip enhancement, chin implants to almost anything else you can think of.

Potential Risks

Regardless of how good the surgeon performing the operation may be, there is always a chance for error or complications. The worst case scenario, while rare, is you have a life threatening reaction to the anesthetic and die on the table. The best worst case scenario is, you finish the operation successfully, but still aren’t happy with the results.

Mental Wellness

Before undergoing cosmetic surgery, some clinics are performing mental screening tests for their patients. Not everyone is mentally suitable for cosmetic surgery. Some people may be suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or other mental illnesses.

People who are suffering from mental illness should not be getting cosmetic surgery, as it’s most likely won’t resolve any of their issues, and they will still be unpleased with the final results.

The problem is it’s hard to determine who may or may not have a mental illness if the patient is not being truthful with their surgeon. Even when they are truthful, their surgeon is not a psychiatrist, that can accurately decide if the patient is suitable for surgery or not. The absolute worst case is, that the surgeon doesn’t care, whether the patient is mentally stable or not as they still get paid.

The best patients for cosmetic surgery are those with stable jobs, no history of depression or other mental illnesses, the disposable income to afford it without going into any kind of debt, has only a minor or singular procedure in mind and has realistic expectations.

By realistic expectations, I mean, you can’t get a breast augmentation and expect to suddenly be getting free drinks at the bar and the promotion with a raise at work. When all that doesn’t happen, you will slid back into a depressive state or want more work done, do not be expecting drastic life changing results.

Cosmetic Tourism

Cosmetic surgery can be a very expensive process. Depending on the job it can easily cost thousands of dollars. Many people want to change their appearance, but can’t afford it. In some cases they turn to what’s known as cosmetic tourism. Cosmetic tourism is when an individual will fly out of the country to take advantage of cheaper surgeries somewhere else in the world.

This can be very risky depending on what country you go to. Not every country has the same protections or official qualifications as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom.

Not only can the practices be shady, but traveling after any kind of surgery is not advised, as complications can arise from traveling.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about getting cosmetic surgery, you need to really evaluate your entire life. It cannot be a spur of the moment decision or one with little thought put into it. It should also not be a decision out of a traumatic event like divorce or a sudden death.

There’s no universal answer to whether it’s right for you or not. You need to weigh your own risks and rewards. Remember, changing your physical appearance or flaw might change how others will perceive you, but it may not change how you feel about yourself.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, you should take a look at some of the helpful information provided by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). It will give you a better overview about the process and give you some idea as to what to look for and discuss with a cosmetic surgeon.